The Zika infection, history and evolutionary study in Malaysia

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) has been isolated in Malaysia from Aedes aegypti in 1966, however, not until recently, the infection has been reported in humans in a few states in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the origin of the ZIKV detected throughout Malaysia by population-based Sanger sequencing. Sera and urine samples were received from eight positive patients for ZIKV from the Sungai Buloh Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sultanah Aminah Hospital and Miri Hospital, between 31st August 2016 to 13th December 2016. The samples were subjected to real-time Reverse Transcription PCR (rRT-PCR) and the partial E gene fragment was amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the ZIKV isolates was constructed. Of eight patients, sera and urine samples from seven of them were successfully amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all ZIKV strains from 2 patients were closely related to the Micronesia strain and the Malaysian strain that was isolated in the year 1966. Meanwhile, the ZIKV of other patients from various states within Malaysia were from Asian lineage. The findings have suggested a possible concurrent event between the recent introductions of the virus from the neighbouring country and the re-emergence of Zika in Malaysia. The need for continuous surveillance of ZIKV infection in Malaysia is crucial in understanding the epidemiology of ZIKV infection in Malaysia and comprehending the reasons behind the low ZIKV cases detection in Malaysia as compared to our neighbouring countries.